Just wondering: Are we just now learning what the two politicians were talking about? Did their unrecorded, private meeting go something like this:

Medvedev: We’re planning to take over the Crimea and we’ll take military action if we have to.

Obama: I don’t care about the Crimea. Tell Vlad that as far as I’m concerned he has a free hand in the area. When you do make your move I’ll have to make some noise, or course – talk tough, sound angry, maybe slap some meaningless sanctions on you. But that will be all. Please understand that such action by you now would be bad timing for me. American elections, you know.”

Later, when the two reconvened on stage with the all-hearing, but unsuspected, microphone listening, “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.”